Masha Gessen On Russia

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games begin in just 10 days in the Russian Black Sea resort town of Sochi. We've heard reports about the extraordinary security that will surround the games. It's clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is well aware that the country's standing — as well as his own reputation — are on the line.

Masha Gessen is a prominent Russian-American journalist and author who has written critically about President Putin. Her latest book, "Words Will Break Cement: The Passion Of Pussy Riot" is no less critical. It tells the story of the female punk rockers who paid a heavy price for their political activism, spending almost two years in jail in Putin's Russia.

Masha Gessen will be speaking at Brandeis University tonight at 6.30pm.